Suction port assembly of vacuum cleaner

ABSTRACT

A suction port assembly for a vacuum cleaner is provided which comprises a lower housing having first and second suction ports, an upper housing connected to the lower housing and thereby forming a connection path with the first and the second suction ports, and a noise reducing unit positioned along the connection path.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No.2004-88648, filed Nov. 3, 2004, in the Korean Intellectual PropertyOffice, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner. More particularly,the present invention relates to a suction port assembly for a vacuumcleaner, for drawing in impurities of a surface being cleaned.

2. Description of the Related Art

Generally, vacuum cleaners draw in dust on a surface being cleaned usinga suction force generated by driving a vacuum source mounted within acleaner body. Such vacuum cleaners comprise a cleaner body mountingtherein the vacuum source, a suction port assembly for facing thesurface being cleaned to draw in the dust, and an extension path forguiding the dust drawn in through the suction port assembly.

Since general suction port assemblies have a suction port beingtransmitted with the suction force to draw in the dust in the middlethereof, the suction force is focused on the middle portion where thesuction port is formed whereas side portions are less subject to thesuction force. As a result, suction efficiency is deteriorated at theside portions, compared to the middle portion.

In order to overcome such problems, a method has been introduced in U.S.Pat. No. 6,532,622, the method of providing a pair of the suction portson both sides of the suction port assembly. However, this also has aproblem in that dust-laden air currents drawn in through the pair ofsuction ports are converged at a narrow discharge port connected to anextension connector, thereby causing noise from the increase in speed ofthe air currents and an air whirlpool generated as air currents collidewith each other.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of the present invention is to solve at least the aboveproblems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantagesdescribed below. Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention is toprovide a suction port assembly for a vacuum cleaner, in which suctionefficiency at both sides of suction ports are equally improved.

In order to achieve the above-described aspects of the presentinvention, there is provided a suction port assembly for a vacuumcleaner comprising a lower housing having first and second suctionports, an upper housing connected to the lower housing and therebyforming a connection path of the first and the second suction ports, anda noise reducing unit mounted along the connection path. The upperhousing comprises a path cover, and an upper cover connected to thelower housing above the path cover.

The noise reducing unit may comprise a first noise reducing rib having aplurality of first slanted holes, and a second noise reducing rib havinga plurality of second slanted holes. The first and the second noisereducing ribs can be substantially symmetrical to each other.

The connection path may have an air outlet in the middle of a rear wallthereof, the first noise reducing rib can be mounted along the rear wallof the connection path to the right with respect to the air outlet, andthe second noise reducing rib may be mounted along the rear wall of theconnection path to the left with respect to the air outlet.

Heights of H2 and H3 of the first and the second noise reducing ribs canbe lowered toward the right and the left of the air outlet,respectively, and the first and the second noise reducing ribs may berespectively curved toward the first and the second suction ports.

The first and second slanted holes can be slanted by angles θ1 and θ2 ina direction of dust-laden air being discharged through the air outlet.

The angles θ1 and θ2 may be approximately between 40° and 70°.

The first and the second slanted holes respectively can have widths W1and W2 of approximately between 0.5 and 1.0 times as large as distancesD1 and D2 between the first slanted holes and between the second slantedholes.

The suction port assembly may further comprise first and second noiseabsorbing members mounted at both sides of the connection path.

The first noise absorbing member can be mounted between the first noisereducing rib and the connection path, and the second noise absorbingmember can be mounted between the second noise reducing rib and theconnection path.

The first and the second noise absorbing members may have heights H5 andH6 that gradually lower to the right and to the left of the air outlet,and can also be curved toward the first and the second suction ports,respectively.

The first and the second noise absorbing members may be made of porousmaterial.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

The above aspect and other features of the present invention will becomemore apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof withreference to the attached drawing figures, wherein;

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a vacuum cleaner having a suction portassembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded and perspective view of the suction port assemblyof FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the suction port assembly of FIG.1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the suction port assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the suction portassembly of FIG. 4 showing a first noise reducing rib and a first noiseabsorbing member;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the suction portassembly of FIG. 4 showing the first noise reducing rib; and

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the suction portassembly of FIG. 4 showing the first noise absorbing member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will bedescribed in detail with reference to the accompanying drawing figures.

In the following description, same drawing reference numerals are usedfor the same elements even in different drawings. The matters defined inthe description such as a detailed construction and elements are nothingbut the ones provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of theinvention. Thus, it is apparent that the present invention can becarried out without those defined matters. Also, well-known finctions orconstructions are not described in detail since they would obscure theinvention in unnecessary detail.

Referring to FIG. 1, a vacuum cleaner 100 adopting a suction portassembly 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention,comprises a cleaner body 110 having therein a vacuum source (not shown),the suction port assembly 200 for drawing in dust on a surface beingcleaned by a suction force generated by the vacuum source, and anextension path 120 connected to the suction port assembly 200 to guidethe dust drawn in through the suction port assembly 200 into the cleanerbody 110. The extension path 120 comprises an extension connector 126pivotably mounted to the suction port assembly 200, an extension pipe124 and a suction hose 122 connected to the extension pipe 124 connectedto the extension pipe connector 126 by one end and connected to thecleaner body 110 by the other end.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the suction port assembly 200 according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises a lowerhousing 210, an upper housing 250 and a noise reducing unit 300.

The lower housing 210 comprises a first suction port 211 and a secondsuction port 212 for drawing in the dust from the surface being cleaned,which are distanced from each other.

The first second suction port 211 is formed on a bottom of the lowerhousing 210 at a predetermined distance to the right from a partition213, and the second suction port 212 is formed on the bottom of thelower housing 210 at a predetermined distance to the left from thepartition 213.

By existence of the first and the second suction ports 211 and 212, thesuction force is preferably evenly transmitted to a middle portion M andside portions S of the suction port assembly 200. That is, dust-ladenair drawn in toward the middle portion M in an arrowed direction Q1 anddust-laden air drawn in toward the side portions S in arrowed directionsQ2 and Q3 can all smoothly flow into the suction port assembly 200.

Therefore, suction efficiency at the side portions S can be guaranteedas well, compared to a conventional suction port assembly having onesuction port only in the middle portion M. Also, since suctionefficiency at the middle portion M is improved, the surface for cleaningcan be widen. Although the first and the second suction ports 211 and212 have a semicircular shape in the present embodiment, the shapethereof is not limited to that. The suction ports 211 and 212 can beformed in various shapes, such as, for example, an oval and a triangle.

In order to enhance cleaning efficiency, first and second lower openings216 and 217 and first and second dust channels 214 and 215 are formed inthe lower housing 210. An upper cover 230 may have first and secondupper openings 231 and 232.

The first and the second lower openings 216 and 217 are formed on thebottom of the lower housing 210 in a manner that the first lower opening216 inclines to the right and the second lower opening 217 inclines tothe left with respect to the partition 213.

The first and the second lower openings 216 and 217 are rectangularlyformed in this embodiment, however, they may formed in other variousshapes, such as, for example, an oval and a triangle. Also, locationsthereof may vary in consideration of locations of the first and thesecond suction ports 211 and 212.

The first dust channel 214 is formed on the bottom of the lower housing210 through the first lower opening 216 and the first suction port 211to the right from the partition 213 up to a right sidewall 210b of thelower housing 210. The second dust channel 215 is formed on the bottomof the lower housing 210 through the second lower opening 217 and thesecond suction port 212 to the left from the partition 213 up to a leftsidewall 210c of the lower housing 210.

By the above structure, external air drawn in through the first and thesecond upper openings 231 and 232 respectively in arrowed directions F1and F2 passes through an inside of the hermetical suction port assembly200 (FIG. 1) in arrowed directions F3 and F4, and is guided toward thebottom of the lower housing 210 through the first and the second loweropenings 216 and 217.

The guided external air scatters dust stacked between the first and thesecond dust channels 214 and 215, and the dust-laden air including thescattered dust is drawn into the first and the second suction ports 211and 212 along the first and the second dust channels 214 and 215 in thearrowed directions F3 and F4. Accordingly, the dust between the firstand the second dust channels 214 and 215 can be cleaned with ease,thereby improving a cleaning efficiency.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, the upper housing 250 comprises a path cover220 and the upper cover 230. The path cover 220 and the upper cover 230,which are separately provided in this exemplary embodiment, may beintegrally formed.

The path cover 220 is connected to the lower housing 210, therebyforming a connection path 221 for connecting the first and the secondsuction ports 211 and 212.

More specifically, an upper wall of the connection path 221 is formed bythe path cover 220, and a bottom and a rear wall 210 d of the connectionpath 221 are formed by the lower housing 210.

The path cover 220 has a substantially arched or arcuate section, whichis vertical with respect to the direction of movement of the drawn-inair, and is curved in the direction of its length into a U-shape, asseen from an arrowed direction XI. The path cover 220 has a maximumheight Hi substantially in the middle thereof, and is gradually loweredtoward both sides.

The path cover 220 is preferably made of a transparent material for auser to be able to observe movement of the drawn-in dust.

Referring to FIG. 2, the upper cover 230 is connected to the lowerhousing 210 above the path cover 220, thereby forming a sealed spaceinside the suction port assembly 200. The upper cover 230 has first andsecond upper openings 231 and 232 for communication of the external airas described above. The external air passing through the sealed spaceand drawn in through the first and the second upper openings 231 and232, can be discharged out to the first and the second lower openings216 and 217 (FIG. 3).

The upper cover 230 has a cutaway portion 233 having a correspondingshape to the path cover 220 to expose the path cover 220 with respect tothe suction port assembly 200. In other words, the path cover 220 isexposed out of the upper cover 230 through the cutaway portion 233.

Although the first and the second upper openings 231 and 232 are formedas slits according to this exemplary embodiment, alternative numbers,shapes and sizes can also be used, such as, for example, a plurality ofthrough-holes. Alternatively, a shielding member or valve may beprovided to the first and the second upper openings 231 and 232 so as toopen the first and the second upper openings 231 and 232 only for inflowof the air.

Referring to FIGS. 2 through 4, an air outlet 210 e is formed in themiddle of the rear wall 210 d of the connection path 221, and the airoutlet 210 e has an extension pipe connector 126 (FIG. 1) which ispivotably and/or rotatably mounted thereon.

The dust-laden air currents drawn in from the first suction port 211 inan arrowed direction Q5 and from the second suction port 212 in anarrowed direction Q6 are converged to the air outlet 210 e.

As the dust-laden air currents drawn in through the first and the secondsuction ports 211 and 212 and then converged to the air outlet 210 e,are discharged all together through the extension pipe connector 126,noise can be caused by the increased speed of the air currents and a airwhirlpool generated as the air currents collide with each other. Also,pressure and direct collision of the air currents with the rear wall 210d may make noise.

Referring to FIG. 2, the connection path 221 has a noise reducing unit300 in order to prevent such noise, which comprises first and secondnoise reducing ribs 310 and 320 and first and second noise absorbingmembers 330 and 340.

The first and the second noise reducing ribs 310 and 320 are preferablysymmetrical to each other with respect to the connection path 221 andmay be made of a plastic material, such as, for example, acryl. Othermaterials, such as, for example, glass and metal, can also be used forthe noise reducing ribs 310 and 320.

Since the first and the second noise reducing ribs 310 and 320 areconfigured in the same way, only the first noise reducing rib 310 shownin FIGS. 5 and 6 will be explained hereinbelow for detailed descriptionof the first and the second noise reducing ribs 310 and 320.

The first noise reducing rib 310 is mounted along the rear wall 210 d ofthe connection path 221 in an arrowed direction R, that is, to the rightof the air outlet 210 e.

This is to enable the dust-laden air to contact the rear wall 210 d asmuch as possible because the dust-laden air is likely to incline to therear wall 210 d of the connection path 221 while flowing from the firstsuction port 211 to the connection path 221 due to the curved form ofthe connection path 221. Therefore, by mounting the first noise reducingrib 310 along the rear wall 210 d, the noise can be more effectivelyprevented.

Referring to FIG. 5, the first noise absorbing member 330 is insertedbetween the first noise reducing rib 310 and the rear wall 210 d of theconnection path 221.

Referring to FIG. 2, the first noise reducing rib 310 is arranged in amanner that the heights H2 thereof are gradually decreased in an arroweddirection R, that is, toward the right, and the arrangement is curvedtoward the first suction port 211.

The first noise reducing rib 310 is configured as described above inconsideration of the height of the path cover 220 and the form of therear wall 210 d of connection path 221, thereby facilitatinginstallation thereof on the connection path 221. In addition, thedust-laden air can pass through the connection path 221, being lesssubject to resistance by the first noise reducing rib 310.

Referring back to FIG. 5, the first noise reducing rib 310 includes aplurality of first slant holes 310 a which are slanted by an angle θ1with respect to a vertical line, in the arrowed direction Q5, that is,the moving direction of the dust-laden air from the first suction port211 to the air outlet 210 e. Here, the slant angle θ1 is approximatelybetween 40° and 70°.

The slant prevents the dust-laden air passing through the connectionpath 221 from directly flowing into the first slanted holes 310a. Morespecifically, the dust-laden air, while passing through the connectionpath 221 in the arrowed direction Q5, indirectly flows into the firstslanted holes 310 a in an arrowed direction Q8. To this end, the angleθ1 can restrict dispersion and deviation of the dust-laden air flowingin the arrowed direction Q5.

The first slanted holes 310 a have a width W1 of approximately between0.5 and 1.0 times as large as a distance D1 between the first slantedholes 310 a. Through the width W1 of the first slanted holes 310 a, thedust-laden air may be partly received.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 7, the first noise absorbing member 330 has aheight H5 gradually lowered in the arrowed direction R, that is, to theright of the air outlet 210 e and is curved toward the first suctionport 211, so as to be mounted or otherwise positioned between the firstnoise reducing rib 310 and the rear wall 210 d of the connection path221.

The first noise absorbing member 330 secondarily decreases the noisethat is first decreased by the first noise reducing rib 310, and forthis, porous materials, such as, for example, sponge, general filtersand foam, can be used for the first noise absorbing member 330.

Hereinbelow, a relation between the first noise absorbing member 330 andthe first noise reducing rib 310 will be described.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 5 and 7, a rear side 330 b of the first noiseabsorbing member 330 is preferably connected to the rear wall 210 d ofthe connection path 221 using an adhesive. Next, the first noisereducing rib 310 is connected to a front side 330 a of the first noiseabsorbing member 330 by an adhesive, thereby mounting the first noisereducing rib 310 and the first noise absorbing member 330 along theconnection path 221.

However, the first noise absorbing member 330 is not indispensable tothe present invention. When the first noise absorbing member 330 isomitted, the first noise reducing rib 310 can be directly attached tothe rear wall 210 d of the connection path 221. Also, other methods suchas screw and welding instead of the adhesive may be applied to attachthe first noise reducing rib 310 and the first noise absorbing member330.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, the second noise reducing rib 320 is mountedalong the rear wall 210 d of the connection path 221 in an arroweddirection L, that is, to the left of the air outlet 210 e. The secondnoise absorbing member 340 is inserted between the second noise reducingrib 320 and the rear wall 210 d of the connection path 221.

The second noise reducing rib 320 has a height H3 gradually lowered inthe arrowed direction L, that is, to the left of the air outlet 210 eand is curved toward the second suction port 212.

The reason for configuring and positioning the second noise reducing rib320 as the above is the same as in the first noise reducing rib 310.

The second noise reducing rib 320 includes a plurality of second slantholes 320 a which are slanted by an angle θ2 with respect to a verticalline, in the arrowed direction Q6, that is, the moving direction of thedust-laden air from second suction port 212 to the air outlet 210 e.Here, the slant angle θ2 is approximately between 40° and 70°.

The slant prevents the dust-laden air passing through the connectionpath 221 from directly flowing into the second slanted holes 320 a. Morespecifically, the dust-laden air, while passing through the connectionpath 221 in the arrowed direction Q6, may indirectly flow into thesecond slanted holes 320 a in an arrowed direction Q9. To this end, theangle θ2 can restrict dispersion and deviation of the dust-laden airflowing in the arrowed direction Q6.

The second slanted holes 320 a have a width W2 of approximately between0.5 and 1.0 times as large as a distance D2 between the second slantedholes 320 a. Through the width W2 of the second slanted holes 320 a, thedust-laden air may be partly received.

Referring to FIG. 2, the second noise absorbing member 340 has a heightH6 that is gradually lowered in the arrowed direction L, that is, to theleft of the air outlet 210 e and is curved toward the second suctionport 212, so as to be mounted or otherwise positioned between the secondnoise reducing rib 320 and the rear wall 210 d of the connection path221.

The second noise absorbing member 340 secondarily decreases the noisethat is first decreased by the second noise reducing rib 320, and forthis, porous materials, such as, for example, sponge, general filtersand foam, can be used for the second noise absorbing member 340.

Since relations among the rear wall 210 d, the second noise absorbingmember 340 and the second noise reducing rib 320 are the same as thoseamong the rear wall 210 d, the first noise absorbing member 330 and thefirst noise reducing rib 310, description thereof will not be repeated.

Hereinbelow, the operation of the vacuum cleaner 100 adopting thesuction port assembly 200 according to an embodiment of the presentinvention will be described.

Referring to FIG. 1, the suction force generated by the vacuum source(not shown) mounted in the cleaner body 110 is transmitted to thesuction port assembly 200, passing through the suction hose 122, theextension pipe 124 and the extension pipe connector 126.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, the suction force transmitted to the suctionport assembly 200 is then transmitted to the first and the secondsuction ports 211 and 212 respectively in reverse directions to thearrowed directions Q5 and Q6.

By the transmitted suction force, the dust-laden air current drawn inthe arrowed direction Q1 to the middle portion M of the suction portassembly 200 and the dust-laden air currents drawn in the arroweddirections Q2 and Q3 to the side portions S of the suction port assembly200, are drawn into the first and the second suction ports 211 and 212,respectively.

In addition, referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, the suction force transmitted tothe first and the second suction ports 211 and 212 is then transmittedto the first and the second lower openings 216 and 217, respectively,through the first and the second dust channels 214 and 215.

The suction force transmitted to the first and the second lower openings216 and 217 is transmitted to the first and the second upper openings231 and 232 through the sealed space formed by the connection of theupper cover 230 and the lower housing 210. By the suction force, theexternal air is drawn in through the first and the second upper openings231 and 232 in the arrowed directions F1 and F2.

While passing through the sealed space formed by the connection of theupper cover 230 and the lower housing 210, and the first and the secondlower openings 216 and 217, the air drawn in through the first and thesecond upper openings 231 and 232 collides with the surface beingcleaned and therefore scatters the dust stacked in the first and thesecond dust channels 214 and 215.

The air including the scattered dust passes through the first and thesecond dust channels 214 and 215 in the arrowed directions F3 and F4 andflows into the first and the second suction ports 211 and 212.

Referring to FIG. 4, the dust-laden air drawn into the first and thesecond suction ports 211 and 212 in the directions Q1, Q2, Q3, F3 and F4moves along the arrowed directions Q5 and Q6 to pass through theconnection path 221 where the noise reducing unit 300 is mounted, whichcomprises the first and the second noise reducing ribs 310 and 320 andthe first and the second noise absorbing members 330 and 340.

At this time, the dust-laden air may flow into the first and the secondslanted holes 310 a and 320 a formed on the first and the second noisereducing ribs 310 and 320 in the arrowed directions Q8 and Q9, andaccordingly, the dust-laden air can be partly received in the first andthe second slanted holes 310 a and 320 a.

Also, when the dust-laden air collides with the first and the secondnoise reducing ribs 310 and 320 due to the first and the second slantedholes 310 a and 320 a, impact and pressure can be dispersed.

As a result, the noise occurring in the conventional vacuum cleaner,which is caused by the dust-laden air currents converged to the airoutlet 210 e and the collision of the dust-laden air with the rear wall210 d of the connection path 221 can be reduced. Such an effect ofreducing the noise can be enhanced by the first and the second noiseabsorbing members 216 and 217.

According to test data, by existence of the noise reducing unit 300,total noise can be reduced by approximately 1.5 dB(A), that is, from74.5 dB(A) to 73.0 dB(A).

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the dust-laden air currents are converged tothe air outlet 210 e and moved to the cleaner body 110, passing throughthe extension pipe connector 126, the extension pipe 124 and the suctionhose 122. During this, the dust is collected, and dust-separated air isdischarged to the outside.

Some of the advantages of the suction port assembly 200 for a vacuumcleaner, as described above, are as follows.

First, the suction force can be evenly transmitted to the middle portionand the side portions by providing the first and the second suctionports 211 and 212 distanced from each other, thereby improving thesuction efficiency.

Second, since increase in speed of the air currents and air whirlpoolgenerated by collision of the air currents can be prevented by the noisereducing unit 300, the noise is reduced, enabling a more quiet cleaningenvironment.

Third, the noise caused by the impact and pressure generated as thedust-laden air directly collides with the rear wall 210 d of theconnection path 221 can be decreased by the noise reducing unit 300,thereby enabling a more quiet cleaning environment.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference tocertain embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled inthe art that various changes in form and details may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as definedby the appended claims.

1. A suction port assembly for a vacuum cleaner having a vacuum source,comprising: a lower housing having first and second suction ports; anupper housing connected to the lower housing and thereby forming aconnection path with the first and the second suction ports; and a noisereducing unit positioned along the connection path, wherein theconnection path is in fluid communication with the vacuum source.
 2. Thesuction port assembly of claim 1, wherein the upper housing comprises: apath cover; and an upper cover connected to the lower housing above thepath cover.
 3. The suction port assembly of claim 2, wherein the noisereducing unit comprises: a first noise reducing rib having a pluralityof first slanted holes; and a second noise reducing rib having aplurality of second slanted holes.
 4. The suction port assembly of claim3, wherein the first and the second noise reducing ribs aresubstantially symmetrical to each other.
 5. The suction port assembly ofclaim 3, wherein the connection path has an air outlet in a middleportion of a rear wall thereof, the first noise reducing rib ispositioned along the rear wall of the connection path to the right withrespect to the air outlet, and the second noise reducing rib ispositioned along the rear wall of the connection path to the left withrespect to the air outlet.
 6. The suction port assembly of claim 5,wherein heights of the first and the second noise reducing ribs arelowered in a direction away from the air outlet, respectively, and thefirst and the second noise reducing ribs are respectively curved towardsthe first and the second suction ports.
 7. The suction port assembly ofclaim 3, wherein each of the plurality of first and second slanted holesare slanted by angles θ1 and θ2 in a direction of dust-laden air beingdischarged through the air outlet, and wherein the angles θ1 and θ2 areapproximately between 40° and 70°.
 8. The suction port assembly of claim3, wherein each of the plurality of first and second slanted holes havewidths W1 and W2 of approximately between 0.5 and 1.0 times as large asdistances D1 and D2 between each of the plurality of the first slantedholes and between each of the plurality of the second slanted holes,respectively.
 9. The suction port assembly of claim 3, furthercomprising first and second noise absorbing members along the connectionpath.
 10. The suction port assembly of claim 9, wherein the first noiseabsorbing member is positioned between the first noise reducing rib andthe connection path, and the second noise absorbing member is positionedbetween the second noise reducing rib and the connection path.
 11. Thesuction port assembly of claim 9, wherein the first and the second noiseabsorbing members have heights H5 and H6 that are lowered in a directionaway from the air outlet, and wherein the first and the second noiseabsorbing members are curved towards the first and the second suctionports, respectively.
 12. The suction port assembly of claim 11, whereinthe first and the second noise absorbing members are at least partiallymade of porous material.
 13. A vacuum cleaner comprising: a vacuumsource; and a suction port assembly in fluid communication with thevacuum source and having upper and lower housings and a noise reducingunit, wherein the lower housing h as first and second suction ports,wherein the upper housing is connected to the lower housing and at leastpartially defines a connection path with the first and the secondsuction ports, wherein the connection path has an air outlet in a middleportion thereof for air flow to the vacuum source, and wherein the noisereducing unit is positioned along the connection path.
 14. The vacuumcleaner of claim 13, wherein the noise reducing unit comprises: a firstnoise reducing rib having a plurality of first slanted holes; and asecond noise reducing rib having a plurality of second slanted holes.15. The vacuum cleaner of claim 14, wherein the first and the secondnoise reducing ribs are substantially symmetrical to each other anddisposed on opposite sides of the air outlet.
 16. The vacuum cleaner ofclaim 14, wherein the air outlet is positioned along a rear wall of theconnection path, and wherein the first and second noise reducing ribsare positioned on opposite sides of the air outlet.
 17. The vacuumcleaner of claim 16, wherein the first and the second noise reducingribs have heights that are lowered in a direction away from the airoutlet, respectively, and the first and the second noise reducing ribsare respectively curved towards the first and second suction ports. 18.The vacuum cleaner of claim 14, wherein the connection path has firstand second noise absorbing members.
 19. The vacuum cleaner of claim 18,wherein the first noise absorbing member is positioned between the firstnoise reducing rib and the connection path, and wherein the second noiseabsorbing member is positioned between the second noise reducing rib andthe connection path.
 20. The vacuum cleaner of claim 18, wherein thefirst and the second noise absorbing members are at least partially madeof porous material.